Our Concern

The Riverstyx Foundation believes in the human potential for healing, growth, and transformation. However, often out of fear of change, as well as distrust in human potential, society tries to control, stigmatize, and even punish those who are struggling outside the norm. Drug users, criminals, and death and dying are labels so politically and morally charged, and even pathologized, that society attacks those ‘problems’, as opposed to recognizing the true needs and sufferings of the person underneath. Unfortunately, not only are these repressive systems excessively expensive, they divert scarce resources away from opportunities for support and healing, while often exacerbating the exact problems they are designed to address. We believe that society should serve its citizens by offering the greatest possibilities for growth and life enhancement, and while helping to mitigate harm, should never punish people for their suffering and personal attempts at relief.